Friday, March 22, 2013

Purpose

Purpose: the reason for which something exists, or is done, made, used, etc.

Purpose.

It's a word that has come up a lot in the past week. People are longing to know their purpose. They feel lost without knowing what it is. They look at others and decide that those other people have much more purpose than they do.

Purpose.

It's kind of a big deal.

But here's the thing... it doesn't have to be a big deal.

Let me explain myself...

So many seem to be searching for the great, overall purpose of their life. What is it that they will do with their time and talents? What is that THING that they are called to? What is their ministry? I'm finding that many seem to think that their only purpose in life lies in the answers to those questions and that can leave a person feeling pretty blah if they don't know what that big thing is that they are supposed to do.

It's in searching for that big thing that we miss out on all the little things. The things that don't seem like such a big deal.

Things like
taking a meal to a friend who is sick so she doesn't have to feed her family that night.
offering to watch someone's kids (for free) so that they can get a desperately needed nap.
helping in the nursery at church so some parents can actually GO to church.
praying for others.
giving an unexpected gift.
meeting a friend for a hot drink and conversation.
sharing honestly in your Bible study.
being a good wife even when you don't feel like it.
loving your children and disciplining them.
supporting the teachers at your school.
thanking someone for all they do... like your pastors.
leaving a big tip just to brighten someone's day.

The little things. Purpose in everything we do. When I'm able to break it down like that it doesn't all seem be so overwhelming... because it CAN be overwhelming trying to figure out what the big purpose of my life is. And if I'm honest I don't think any of us has one big purpose other than loving and obeying God... in doing that we will find purpose in each and every day.

Everyone doing their part, every day.
Your purpose... your reason for existing... is to shine God's light into the darkness. You don't have to be in charge of a growing ministry to do that. You don't have to have a stage with thousands in the audience to do that. You don't have to be a best selling author to do that. You don't have to have a blog with 10,000 followers to do that.

No... to shine God's light into the darkness... to live out your purpose... all you need to do is say YES GOD.

Every day.
Every moment.
Scared or courageous.
Whether you understand or not.

If God tells you to do something you do it... 100% immediate obedience is the goal.
If you do that you WILL find that you have GREAT purpose in each and every day that you live.